The Queen looked less than impressed as the heavens opened at Royal Ascot today – but high spirited revellers didn’t let the wet weather dampen their fun.
The monarch, 93, arrived for the festivities as normal in an open-top carriage alongside Prince Charles, 70, and the Duchess of Cornwall, 71, but was later forced to whip out an umbrella to stay dry.
Elsewhere well-heeled racegoers faced their own battle with the hair-frizzing drizzle, with many donning disposable rain ponchos, huddling under umbrellas and rushing inside as they tried to stay dry.
But even that wasn’t enough to stop the fashion parade and stars including Charlotte Hawkins, Debbie McGee and Helen Flanagan still pulled out all the fashion stops.
Today is the second day of the five-day meet, which is the jewel in the crown of the British racing – and social -calendars.
Royal blue! The monarch, 93, arrived for the second day of festivities in an open-top carriage alongside Prince Charles, 70, and the Duchess of Cornwall, 71, pictured together – but was forced to whip out an umbrella when the heavens opened
One’s not amused! The Queen looked a little put out as it started to rain shortly after her arrival at Royal Ascot today
Smiling through it! The Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall kept their spirits up despite the rain at Royal Ascot today
Quick change: Women pulled on disposable rain ponchos as they battled against the elements at Royal Ascot
… But it didn’t stop the fashion parade! Francesca Cumani, left, Charlotte Hawkins, centre, and designer Isabell Kristensen
Carefully co-ordinated: The Duchess of Cornwall, pictured, and the Queen both carried umbrellas that matched their outfits
Battling the elements: Prince Charles, left, and the Queen, right, had their umbrellas out at Royal Ascot this afternoon
Happy occasion: Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, who celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary today, also attended but kept a low profile by skipping the carriage procession. They also stayed under cover, pictured, to avoid the worst of the rain
Celebration! Frankie Dettori triumphed on horse Crystal Ocean in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes on day two of Royal Ascot
Royal presentation: Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall with Dettori at a ceremony that took place under cover
The ultimate accessory! The stands were awash with umbrellas when it started to rain on the second day of Royal Ascot
Yesterday the Queen was joined at Royal Ascot by senior royals including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Andrew, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice and Zara and Mike Tindall as the family market the start of the meet.
However today it was a rather different guest list, with only Charles, Camilla, Princess Anne and the Earl and Countess of Wessex returning to make a second appearance.
In keeping with royal protocol, the Queen arrived first with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. They were joined in their carriage by Alan, Viscount Brookeborough, a Lord-In-Waiting to Her Majesty.
The Queen donned blue for a second day in a row, choosing a slightly lighter coat and hat than she wore yesterday.
Royal outing: The Queen and Camilla were joined by Prince Charles (left from behind) and Viscount Brookeborough (right)
Umbrellas at the ready! The Queen, left, and the Duchess of Cornwall, right, arriving at Royal Ascot in the open carriage today
Bright spot! The Queen’s sky blue coat and Camilla’s mint ensemble brightened up an otherwise dull day at Royal Ascot
Yoohoo! Princess Anne waved to her mother, brother and sister-in-law as they passed in the carriage at Royal Ascot, pictured
Over here! The Princess Royal caught the royals’ attention as they passed – and had her own umbrella ready just in case
Beaming Queen! The monarch flashed a smile as she arrived in the open top carriage just before the heavy downpour
Rainy Royal Ascot! The Queen kept her head down, left, as she crossed the lawn while holding up a matching blue umbrella
Favourite event: Royal Ascot has long been a highlight in the Queen’s social calendar. She braved the rain to attend this year
Perfectly practical: Princess Anne in a rain mac with Andrew Parker Bowles. Right, at Royal AScot this afternoon
Big welcome: Well-wishers turned out to greet the Queen on her Royal Ascot arrival – before the heavens opened
In bloom! The Queen donned a hat covered in blue and purple flowers as she joined Charles and Camilla in the carriage
Royal arrival: Prince and Princess Michael of Kent arrived in the second carriage behind the Queen, Charles and
Staying dry: Prince Edward, left, and the Countess of Wessex arrived separately and appeared to stay under cover
Classic combination: The Countess of Wessex paired a white dress with a navy and white hat for day two of Royal Ascot
Lots to smile about! The Earl and Countess of Wessex, pictured, celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary today
Royal shock! Princess Anne waved to the Queen’s carriage, left, but was left shocked by something she saw, right
Time to celebrate! Frankie Dettori beams as he is presented with his prize after winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot
Prize ceremony: Princess Anne, Princess Royal presents the Duke of Cambridge Stakes on the second day of Royal Ascot
Camilla, who yesterday looked pretty in blush pink, complemented Her Majesty in a mint green creation.
Princess Anne, dressed in a pretty blue floral dress and playful horse hat, arrived separately but turned out to greet her mother, brother and sister-in-law as their carriage passed by.
In the following carriage was the Queen’s cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, and his wife Princess Michael of Kent. They were joined by Master of the Horse Lord de Mauley and his wife, Lady de Mauley.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex, who celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary today, chose to skip the carriage procession and made their way directly indoors.
The couple, who married at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, appeared in excellent spirits and smiled as they soaked up the atmosphere.
Stuck in the mud! Revellers rally to push a horse drawn carriage out of the grassy carpark following a rainy day at Ascot
Tight squeeze! Racegoers hared umbrellas (left and right) as they did their best to stay dry amid a heavy downpour
Downpour: Other racegoers were less likely and were forced to stand out in the pouring rain to take in the action
Strike a pose! The rain didn’t stop this high spirited woman from striding across the grounds of Ascot Racecourse
Looking on the bright side! Racegoers got the giggles as they walked through a shower, left. Right, rainy day fashion
Total washout: TV crews huddled beneath enormous umbrellas to keep their equipment dry as they broadcast from Ascot
Quick! A woman throws on a disposable rain poncho as she rushes for cover during a massive downpour at Royal Ascot today
Rainy day parade! A group of women stay dry with umbrellas as they walk around Ascot Racecourse on day two of Royal Ascot
Quick dash! A smartly dress man makes a run for it as he breaks cover during a heavy downpour at Royal Ascot this afternoon
Green queen! A woman takes a moment to herself as she watches a race from under an umbrella at Royal Ascot
Rainy day drinks! A group of women grabbed some umbrellas and headed out to brave the rain at Royal Ascot
Stuck in the mud! A woman wipes down her legs after getting dirty, left. Right, women risk a trudge across the field
Tense moments: Racegoers look on as they take in the action at the world-famous course this afternoon
It won’t dampen their spirits! Racegoers were forced to whip out their umbrellas as the rain started at Royal Ascot
Elsewhere racegoers could be seen making the best of the wet weather by taking out umbrellas to sit on benches in the rain.
Others giggled as they pulled plastic ponchos over their finery.
Royal Ascot is a much a social occasion as a sporting event and racegoers take the opportunity to turn on the style, from chic hats and summer dresses to sharp suits.
Visitors to the high-profile racing event this year also have a wider choice of garb, as organisers say they are free to choose a gender dress code they ‘feel most comfortable’ with.
Under the changes, women will be allowed to dress like men and vice versa – as long as they stick to the rules.
This year’s Royal Enclosure dress code says ‘Gentleman’ must wear black or grey morning dress with a waist coat and tie.
Ascot day two! As the party got into full swing, women in their best frocks were seen kicked up their heels along the lawn
A touch of magic! Debbie McGee, left, Helen Flanagan, centre, and Charlotte Hawkins, right, all looked elegant in white
Here come the girls! Two women embrace at Ascot, right, one woman strikes a playful pose on her way inside
A bit of all white! Racegoer Jennifer Wrynne, left, and two other elegant racegoers also got the colour memo
Finest florals: Milliner Tracy Rose, left, chose one of her own showstopping creations. Right, racegoer Jennifer Wrynne
Splash of sunshine! Racegoers in different shades of yellow brighten up a cloudy second day at Royal Ascot this morning
Making an entrance: Denise Lewis, left, Darcey Bussell, centre, and Cinderella Balthazar, right, arrive at the racetrack
Society beauty: Sabrina Percy, left, was the picture of elegance. Right, model Natalia Kapchuk makes a political statement
A touch of pink: Whether it was a dress, left, accessories, centre, or in a pattern, right, there was plenty of pink on display
Delicate: Presenter Francesca Cumani in a pretty blossom hat. Right, another racegoer went for a playful bird creation
Candy-coloured dream! Band The Tootsie Rollers donned summer dresses and hats by London milliner Nerida Fraiman
‘Ladies’ are not allowed to wear strapless and off-the-shoulder dresses, while mid-riffs have to be covered and fascinators are also banned.
In previous years, it has insisted attendees cover their midriffs and avoid wearing fascinators and that still stands.
While in previous years there has been no official style guide for the Windsor Enclosure, except to dress for a formal occasion, now female attendees are requested to wear fascinators, like those in the rest of the enclosures.
Royal Ascot has put in place strict dress codes since the early 19th century .
The race gathering’s famously strict clothing rules hark back to sartorial trailblazer Beau Brummell, who dictated the dress for men in the Royal Enclosure at the turn of the 19th century and was fond of cleaning his shoes with champagne.
Group photo! Royal Ascot is the perfect time to snap pictures – and this group of revellers made sure they didn’t miss out
Dream teams: Handsome couples made some serious fashion statements as they arrived at Ascot Racecourse this morning
Here come the boys! It wasn’t just women who dressed to impress, gentlemen like the ones above were also well turned out
Dynamic duos! A guest in a kilt causes a stir, left, as he arrives at Ascot. Right, women pose in flowing floral maxi dresses
In bloom! A radiant racegoer poses next to the Royal Ascot photo wall on her way into the second day of the event today
Statement dresses: Red, left, and animal print, right, were both on show as racegoers brought their fashion A-game to Ascot
Race day ready! Whether it was clashing colours, left, or classic monochrome, centre and right, the women looked glamorous
Inspired by nature! Rachel Oates, from Hampshire, left, and Mrs Shane Horn, from Ascot, arriving at Royal Ascot today
Cheers! It’s time for Champagne for these racegoers in The Orangerie Bar by Moet Chandon Grand Vintage at the racecourse
Star power: Love Island alum CHris Hughes posed with fans (left) while Victoria Pendleton looked elegant in a patterned gown
Suits them! Two women sported summer suits for Ascot, left and centre. Right, milliner Lisa Tan in one of her own creations
Tartan twosome! Milliner William Chambers, right in left image, and a guest. Pictured right, Mathias Le Fevre
Bold and beautiful: Two racegoers pose for the camera as they arrive for the second day of races at Royal Ascot this morning
Two years ago, the event broke with convention by allowing racegoers to wear jumpsuits in the Royal Enclosure for the first time.
Organisers also announced they would try to draw in a new breed of visitors by putting on a ‘party atmosphere’ and a ‘more vibrant feel’.
Meanwhile, no changes have been made to rules for ‘Gentlemen’.
Juliet Slot, commercial director of Ascot, said: ‘Fashion and style are an important part of the Royal Ascot experience for all of our customers.’
Mellow yellow! Demonstrating just how versatile one colour can be, a group of women make their Royal Ascot entrance
Matchy matchy! Men and women dressed in identical outfits make their way inside Ascot Racecourse to join in the fun
Say cheese! A group stop for a photo on their way into Royal Ascot this morning – where the second day is underway
Fabulous fabrics: Velvet, suede, satin and silk are expertly juxtaposed in these two stylish Royal Ascot ensembles
Dapper: Top hats and tails are required for gentlemen in certain enclosures – and these two chaps didn’t disappoint
